Use of services for prevention of mother-to-child transmission in Angola: a retrospective analysis.

Background: After a long civil war that destroyed much of the country's health infrastructure, Angola faced the challenge of reconstruction while fighting HIV/AIDS. This paper analyses recent progress in access and use of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services in Angola.

Methods: National level PMTCT data between 2005 and 2012 were analysed. Data were collected from national and international databases and reports. This study assesses progress made, developed best-fit regression models and predicted future points for four major PMTCT indicators.

Results: Between 2005 and 2012, the number of PMTCT sites increased from 9 to 347, and the number of HIV tests preformed to pregnant women increased from 12 061 to 314 805. However, in 2012, 46% of the pregnant women who tested positive for HIV at PMTCT sites and only 36% HIV exposed infants were receiving antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis. Based on current trends, this study predicts that by 2015, 35.5% of pregnant women will be tested for HIV, 1.1% of women will test positive for HIV at PMTCT and 46% of HIV-positive pregnant women will receive antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusions: Despite expansion of PMTCT services, urgent action is needed to rapidly scale-up HIV prevention and treatment services for HIV-positive pregnant women and for children.